Investigation into train derailment, suspect nabbed at ALB while waiting for flight, together for 60 years and two weeks
Officials say they're not sure yet what caused two trains to side-swipe each other, and then derail, in Montgomery County Thursday. The wreck closed a section of Route 5 and caused Amtrak to suspend train service west of Albany. Amtrak said a in statement late Thursday afternoon that "there is no estimate for track restoration at this time." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Amtrak]
A state appellate court has upheld the conviction of Steven Raucci. An attorney for Raucci says he will try to take the case before the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police say the man accused of robbing a CVS of 4,000 narcotic pills at gunpoint this week was apprehended at ALB Wednesday while he was waiting to board a flight to Florida. Police say he had gone to Boston after the robbery and then flew to ALB for a connecting flight, which was delayed by weather -- and apparently didn't suspect that police were looking for him. Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy about a rising number of robberies involving prescription drugs: ""It's something we're having to wrap our heads around and is, in fact, the new normal for this area." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Saratoga Wire] [YNN]
A former Marine -- who had been living in Clifton Park when he was arrested for extradition to the Philippines on murder charges -- testified at an extradition hearing that he didn't commit the murders of which he's accused, and his attorney criticized the evidence in the case. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
The EPA's project manager for the Hudson River PCB dredging project said dredging near Peebles Island could start in August. [TU]
The Supreme Court of the United States reversed the conviction of a man accused of trying to use the threat of exposing an alleged affair to force a top aide to state comptroller Tom DiNapoli to recommend an investment for the state's pension fund -- the Supremes ruled that doesn't meet the technical definition of extortion. [TU] [SCOTUS]
An Albany man convicted of gun possession in 2010 after his DNA was found on the gun had his conviction overturned by a state appellate court, which ruled that the DNA alone was not enough prove possession beyond a reasonable doubt. [TU]
A Fulton County man was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of a gruesome slashing in 2011 in the parking lot outside what is now Upstate Concert Hall. [Saratogian] [YNN]
A Fort Edward man has pleaded guilty to charges related to promoting and hosting what the state says were two unlicensed amateur boxing matches -- one in Saratoga Springs, the other in Lake George. In the Saratoga Spring event the state says a 16-year-old fought a 34-year-old -- and was knocked out in 15 seconds. [NYS AG]
A large mixed-used development proposed for Glenmont has prompted concerns from some residents about traffic and changing the character of the area (map). [TU]
A retail development proposed for Malta is the first under new town zoning rules that require buildings to be closer the street, and much of the parking behind the buildings. [TU]
Parents of students at a Saratoga Springs elementary school accused the school's principal of creating a "caustic" culture blamed her for driving away teachers. [Saratogian] [News10]
The Pioneer Market building in downtown Troy -- the site of the short-lived Troy food co-op -- was sold at a foreclosure sale to Pioneer Bank, which held the mortgage. Equipment from the building was auctioned off to Vic Christopher, who's starting up a small grocery nearby. [TU] [Troy Record]
A veteran originally from Rensselaer County -- who had both legs amputated below the knee after a bombing in Iraq -- is continuing her campaign to rally support and resources for wounded veterans. [TU]
Flooding along the Erie Canal has stranded boaters in Waterford -- one couple has been there for almost three weeks. [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs police say the 133-year-old Morrissey Fountain in Congress Park was damaged during an act of vandalism. [News10]
A Rensselaer County couple -- married for 60 years -- died within hours of each other last weekend. [TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?